Cornwall's Award Winning
Science Museum
Interactive artworks crafted by local artists from salvaged materials and objects.
DISCOVERING42
If you’re looking for something different, this hands-on exhibition is for you! Loads of unusual exhibits that are constantly being added – favourites include the bike-powered record player, levitating balls and water that flows backwards! Great for all ages, prepare to be baffled and amazed as you delve into the peculiarities of science.
This immersive and unusual exhibition is about as environmentally friendly as they come! Everything from the walls to the exhibits have been crafted from salvaged materials by local artists.
Our lovely cosy cafe has views of the park and includes our Magic Mocktail Chemistry Bar Experience. Priory Park has a brilliant kids playground and duck pond for a bit of fresh air afterwards.
Winner of the National Museum and Heritage Awards 22, SAS Plastic Free Gold Award23, Best in Heritage 23 and Trip Advisor Travellers Choice Award 25.
OPENING HOURS
Monday – Sunday: 9am – 5pm
Last entry: 4pm
ACCESSIBILITY
We want everyone to enjoy Discovering42:
Space for wheelchairs to move through freely
Constantly researching new ways to make exhibits inclusive and engaging
Accessible toilet
Baby changing facilities
Assistance dogs welcome
Carer concession tickets available
Need more details? Contact us before your visit and we’ll be happy to help.
TIERED TICKETS
TICKET TYPE
Supporter (Helps us thrive so we can keep pushing boundaries, creating new exhibits, and offering affordable access for everyone. Your extra contribution directly supports our mission to inspire curiosity, creativity, and climate action.)
Adult (18+) : £12
Child (3–17 years) : £9
Standard (Covers our core costs of running our exhibitions, maintaining exhibits, and keeping our doors open to the public.)
Adult (18+) : £10
Child (3–17 years) : £7
Low Income (As a non-profit Community Interest Company, we believe access to creativity, science, and sustainability should be for everyone. Our Low Income tickets are here to remove barriers — if cost is a challenge, please feel free to use this option. No proof required.)
Adult (18+) : £7
Child (3–17 years) : £5
Under 3 years : £1.00
Professional Carer : £5.00
Culture Card holder : FREE
PLAN YOUR TRIP
There are loud noises, magnets that may pose a risk to pace makers and strobe lighting effects. Contact us before your visit if you have concerns.
Leave at least 90mins to fully immerse yourself into the exhibition.
Book tickets for up to 8 people in a timed entry slot to keep everyone spaced out and able to fully enjoy the exhibition. Have a bigger group? Just book in a neighbouring time slot and arrive together. Please try to arrive at the start time, you are welcome to stay as long as you like!
Please read before booking:
We feel it’s important that children are allowed to get hands-on. We ask parents and carers to supervise children at all times, there are exhibits with mechanisms that pose a risk of injury if misused. Several exhibits contain small parts such as marbles, if you have any under 3’s you will need to be vigilant.
BOOK HERE
FIND US
Discovering42, Priory Park, Bodmin, PL312AE.
Coordinates: 50.470463, -4.715399
What Three Words
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We are a little tricky to find – we are nestled inside a beautiful park and can only been seen from Priory Carpark and not from the main road.
SATNAV: Priory Car Park, PL31 2DE.
We are in priory park in a cream, glass-fronted hall, across the lawn from the pond. We have coloured bike wheel windmills out the front.
BY BIKE
Camel Trail from Padstow or Wadebridge to Bodmin + 7min cycle.
BY BUS
2min walk from Mount Folly or Lidl stops.
BY TRAIN
Bodmin Parkway is the closest station. You can then either catch a bus, steam train or taxi to get to Discovering42
BY CAR
Parking at Priory Car Park, PL31 2DQ, 2mins away
Discovering42 is near Launceston, Truro, St Austell, Newquay, Wadebridge, Padstow, Polzeath, Port Isaac, Tintagel, Fowey, Mavagissey, St Ives and Plymouth. A central location, only 30-60 minutes away from many key locations in Cornwall.
THINGS TO DO IN BODMIN
Make a day of your trip to Bodmin! Discovering42 is situated within Priory Park with a duck pond, play park and skatepark. It is a great pitstop for the Camel Trail, bike hire available nearby. Or jump on a steam railway at Bodmin Railway. Other interesting places to explore nearby include Bodmin Jail, The Keep, intoBodmin, Bodmin Town Museum, St Petroc’s Church (the largest church in Cornwall!), The Beat, The Space, Pencarrow House & Gardens, Lanhydrock (National Trust) and Cardinham Woods.